| Description | Written to addresses at Hurst Green, Sussex and 9 Lowndes Street, London
The first bundle of letters with envelopes below were sent from HMS 'Antrim'
1) Written in command of 3rd Cruiser Squadron. Refers to the imminent war and forsees that the survivors will find themselves in a new world, new ideas and 'nothing will ever be quite the same again' 7 August 1914
2) Additional letter speaks of the army maintaining the honour of England [letter postmarked Sep 1914]
3) Speaks of terrible toll in the naval campaign [postmark Oct 1914]
4) Mentions [Frederick] Sturdee's campaign at the Battle of Falkland Islands and expresses thoughts on the war so far [Dec 1914]
5) Mentions submarine craft and their value and Togo [Oyawa]. Also mentions Winston [Churchill] and his treatment by the press '..he is the only first class man there...' [1914]
6) Reports he is with HMS Devonshire, mentions Winston Churchill and Lord Selborne, Jan 1915
7) Further comments on the war particularly in relation to submarines. Says war makes men brutish. Speaks disparagingly of the Bulgarians 'may they be really and finally flattened this time'. Mentions his sister's hospital work, 16 Feb 1915
Second bundle of letters:
Written from HMS 'Lion' to 'My dear Georgie'
1) Discusses the naval career structure, 2 Aug 1917
2) Expresses regret he cannot meet her due to demands of the war, 2 Dec 1916 and another letter 8 Dec 1916 stating that his health is good despite reports to the contrary. Thanks Georgie for her gift.
3) Asks her to call on Mrs Compton Pakenham and discusses her husband, 3 Jan 1917
4) He has been made an Acting Vice Admiral, wishes it could have been awarded due to his conduct in action but feels it 'is the reward of the hoary head'. Hears of air raids and hopes they are safe, 25 Jun 1917
5) Hopes the war will end soon. Mentions food restrictions briefly, 27 Apr 1918
6) Discusses family affairs and mentions 'Hurrah for America' and their growing influence, 19 Jul 1918
7) Discusses the surrender of the German fleet. He is to take part of it to Scapa. Believes a decline in German mood was mostly responsible for the defeat and the self-destruction of the Russian fleet. Hopes he can continue in the navy for a few more years, 22 Nov 1918
8) Annotated by another hand 'Last letter from HMS Lion, 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron during The Great War', 16 Feb 1919. Appears to have been offered a post at Greenwich but will only be for two years due to naval reduction.
9) Admiralty House, Bermuda, 12 Dec 1920. Includes a Christmas card of a photograph showing Admiralty House, Bermuda.
Other loose letters:
1) Written from HMAS 'Australia', 12 Mar 1915. Has joined Sir David Beatty's squadron [2nd Battle Cruiser Squadron] with a telegram to Georgia Evans Freke
2) Mentions the Dardanelles. Discusses his views on the war, 6 May 1915
3) Reflective thoughts on the war and its effect, 9 Aug 1915
4) Reflective thoughts on the war. Has William Cecil's son with him, 'a very nice fellow', 30 Aug 1915
5) More thoughts on the war and its effect on people, 5 Apr [1915]
6) Expresses sympathy with Tom (believed killed Aug 1915), 15 Sep 1915
7) Notes that Crompton Pakenham is to be married to Miss Price. Mentions 'our friendless Japanese cousin' who has joined the Coldstream Guards. Mentions the attack on Servia and the departure of Winston [Churchill] leaving the ministry 'the rat leaving the sinking ship' but perhaps it is 'to free himself for some new combination', 18 Nov 1915
8) Mentions a Miss Murray of [illegible], a potential heiress, 16 Dec 1915
9) Two letters, 3 Feb 1915, hears 40 Zeppelins raid London. Mentions briefly various campaigns, Has sent some Scotch Buns to France 'but no advance resulted'. Discusses decisions of men to marry without consideration to supporting wife and children.
Despatches are to be published 'and justice is done to David [Beatty]. Briefly discusses Lady Sackville's 'Pageant of War', but dislikes 'the chewing over of imaginary griefs'. Mentions the Verdun, 5 Jul 1916
10) Thanks for the bulldog in naval uniform. Mentions his views on religion and that an invitation to a lady to lunch was answered with "Tell him I'll see him damned first". Death of Lady Tryon's nephew, 6 Nov 1916
Believes war may last another two years. Lunched with Arthur Balfour, 15 Sep 1916
Thoughts on the war, food shortages, 2 Apr 1917
11) Briefly mentions the Battle of Jutland, 'It is hard for David after his brilliant prepartion'. Reports death of Edward Brigham, 3 Jun 1916
Thoughts on the passing of time time, 9 Jun 1916
12) He is going to be confirmed. Has met Henry Cecil. Expresses thoughts on the war including that he believes Britain is unable to equip itself with enough men [1916]
13) Edward Cecil has taken a house in Park Lane. Asks if she has read Mark Sykes' speech. Hears a Zeppelin has dropped a bomb at Stamford, 20 Feb 1916
14) Mentions that any deaths may bring her close to succeeding to the barony. Hears of military dissension. The 'discreditable' Charles Pakenham of Armagh has lost five sons which whitewashes his past, 21 May [1916]
15) Discusses his life at Admiralty House, Bermuda. Includes a photograph of William Pakenham with three ladies [unidentified] on the reverse 'Bermuda - 1921'
16) Will visit the West Indies. Discusses the garden at Bermuda, 13 Apr 1921
Discusses life at Admiralty House, Bermuda, and people he has met, 12 Jul 1922
Discusses life at Admiralty House, mentions a drought, 22 Aug 1921
'Panama to San Diego, HMS Raleigh', coridal greetings, 1 Dec 1921
17) Lady Tryon [Clementia Heathcote] has died. Thanks Georgie's mother for the introduction to Sir George [Tryon]. Their son, George Tryon has become a minister. Tells her to expect him in early March. 'I shall be launched upon a cold world feeling and looking like an unfledged elderly bird', 1922
Considers America as a place to live. Mentions the death of 'Georgie', wife of Geoffrey. He is told his time will expire Jan to Feb [1923]. Is sending her a photograph, 16 Jun 1922
Written from 6 South Street, Thurloe Square, London, an affectionate letter asking her to choose a token of her choice, 24 Sep 1923
18) 'Halifax NS, Calcutta', HMS Raleigh has been grounded, 1 Sep 1922
Includes a letter from C Tyron to Miss Freke. Has had a heart attack but is feeling better. |